Food Preparation Workers Salary in Buffalo, NY

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY

Median annual salary $34,270 +0.1% vs national
Median hourly $16.47
10th percentile $31,200
90th percentile $42,640
Employed locally 2,710
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Buffalo, NY
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $31,200
    25th
    $31,200
    50th (median)
    $34,270
    75th
    $36,700
    90th
    $42,640

    Buffalo economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $70,572 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 49% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 51% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Food Preparation Workers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $44,120
    Napa, CA $43,260
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $42,830
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $41,980
    Boulder, CO $41,490
    Greeley, CO $41,340

    Nearby metros — Food Preparation Workers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $44,120
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $36,330
    Ithaca, NY $35,990
    Albany, OR $35,800
    Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY $35,520
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $35,310

    Related occupations in Buffalo, NY

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $34,240
    Waiters and Waitresses $46,820
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $42,290
    Cooks, Restaurant $37,700
    Bartenders $49,950
    Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers $34,020

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Preparation Workers make per hour in Buffalo?

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Buffalo, NY is $16.47, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $19.24 or more per hour.

    Is Buffalo above or below average for Food Preparation Workers salaries?

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Buffalo, NY is 0.1% above the national median of $34,220. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Food Preparation Workers in Buffalo?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $31,200 per year in Buffalo, NY. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $31,200.